Virg BerneroNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Stories from Michigan Radio.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Virg BerneroTue, 02 Jan 2018 10:40:38 +0000Virg Bernerohttp://michiganradio.org
Steve CarmodyMonday, the city of Lansing will swear in its first new mayor in a dozen years. Former State Rep. Andy Schor will take his oath of office during a midday ceremony at the Lansing Center. Schor won November's general election with nearly three-fourths of the votes cast. The soft-spoken Schor replaces the at-times combative Virg Bernero, who has sat in the mayor's office since 2006. Among the challenges the new mayor faces is tackling Lansing's looming legacy costs. Schor will need to find a way to solve the capitol city's nearly $700 million unfunded liabilities over the next 30 years.Lansing's new mayor set to be sworn in Mondayhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansings-new-mayor-set-be-sworn-monday
34051 as http://michiganradio.orgSun, 31 Dec 2017 18:46:00 +0000Lansing's new mayor set to be sworn in MondaySteve CarmodyThe Lansing city council will hold a public hearing Monday night on a proposal to sell city hall to a developer. Chicago-based Beitler Real Estate Services proposes turning Lansing city hall into a hotel. It’s part of a complicated deal under which the developer would spend $42 million renovating the building. Beitler would also turn the old Lansing State Journal building into the capitol city’s new city hall. Beitler was one of four developers who responded to Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero’s request for proposals for developing the aging municipal building across from the state capitol. Bernero has said it would cost too much to renovate city hall. The mayor wants to make it a done deal by the end of the year, before he leaves office. But the Lansing city council must give its approval first.Lansing residents get a chance to weigh in on plans to sell their city hallhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-residents-get-chance-weigh-plans-sell-their-city-hall
33846 as http://michiganradio.orgSun, 10 Dec 2017 23:31:00 +0000Lansing residents get a chance to weigh in on plans to sell their city hallStateside StaffCome next January, Lansing's going to have itself a new mayor for the first time in a dozen years. That's because Mayor Virg Bernero chose not to run for re-election. During his tenure, Bernero never shied away from a fight — if he felt it was warranted — and his plain-spoken style earned him the handle of America's Angriest Mayor.Outgoing Lansing mayor reflects on legacy, argues healthy cities are key to Michigan’s futurehttp://michiganradio.org/post/outgoing-lansing-mayor-reflects-legacy-argues-healthy-cities-are-key-michigan-s-future
33491 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 06 Nov 2017 22:05:34 +0000Outgoing Lansing mayor reflects on legacy, argues healthy cities are key to Michigan’s futureSteve CarmodyMonday night, the Lansing city council declared the opioid crisis a public nuisance. It’s a first step toward filing a lawsuit against drug companies. Mayor Virg Bernero has asked the city attorney to explore a possible suit to recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars Michigan’s capitol city spends annually addressing problems related to opioid addiction. A growing number of cities and counties are weighing suing pharmaceutical makers and distributors to raise money to deal with opioid addiction. In Michigan, Wayne and Oakland Counties have already filed suit. Lansing may soon sign on to a national lawsuit expected to be filed early next year. “There’s no downside to the city pursuing this because we are going to absorb the risk,” says attorney David Mittleman, “The only way we would get paid is if there’s a recovery. And the cost would come out of any recovery. And then a percentage for the lawyers.” Mittleman compares the opioid suit compares with the Big Tobacco settlement in theLansing moves toward suing drug companies for opioid crisishttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-moves-toward-suing-drug-companies-opioid-crisis
33416 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 31 Oct 2017 02:14:04 +0000Lansing moves toward suing drug companies for opioid crisisSteve CarmodyFour weeks from today, Lansing voters will elect the capitol city’s first new mayor in a dozen years. The next mayor will be a departure in style from the current holder of the office.Low-key Lansing mayoral race enters its final monthhttp://michiganradio.org/post/low-key-lansing-mayoral-race-enters-its-final-month
33091 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 13 Oct 2017 00:46:06 +0000Low-key Lansing mayoral race enters its final monthSteve CarmodyA developer is scheduled to be selected to buy Lansing city hall by the end of this week. Four developers submitted proposals to the city. Mayor Virg Bernero says the winning bidder will be the one that makes the highest and best use of the property. Lansing city hall sits on prime real estate in the Capitol city, directly across the street from the state Capitol building. Bernero believes it makes more sense to sell Lansing city hall than to try to renovate the aging building. The mayor’s spokesman says the timeline for a final decision is toward the end of the month. Bernero hopes to finalize the deal before his term ends in December. Any deal would have to be approved by the Lansing city council.Future of Lansing city hall may become clearer this weekhttp://michiganradio.org/post/future-lansing-city-hall-may-become-clearer-week
32802 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 11 Sep 2017 13:44:00 +0000Future of Lansing city hall may become clearer this weekSteve CarmodyThe future of Lansing city hall may rest with paperwork filed today. Would-be developers had until 5 p.m. to submit their proposals for the property across the street from the state Capitol. The proposals will now move to a committee for review. Mayor Virg Bernero says the half-century-old building needs too much work to maintain. He wants to sell the building and use the proceeds to relocate city offices. In addition to their proposal, developers need to show they can get the financing to make it a reality. Several city council members have raised concerns about how the outgoing mayor is pursuing the sale. The mayor wants to pick a developer by December.Potential sale of Lansing city hall inches forwardhttp://michiganradio.org/post/potential-sale-lansing-city-hall-inches-forward
32554 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 22 Aug 2017 01:26:29 +0000Potential sale of Lansing city hall inches forwardSteve CarmodyLansing voters will take a step toward electing a new mayor August 8th. On Tuesday, Lansing will hold a mayoral primary election which for the first time in a dozen years will not feature Virg Bernero on the ballot. Bernero’s decision not to run for re-election this year opened the door to five candidates seeking Lansing’s mayor’s office. Lansing’s mayoral primary is a political battle featuring a current state lawmaker, an Olympic medalist, a former city councilman, a Trump supporting retiree and the son of a prominent medical marijuana shop owner. Andy Schor is looking to move his office from the state capitol to city hall across the street. Former Olympian Judi Brown-Clarke already works at city hall. She’s been a Lansing city council member since 2013. Harold Leeman Jr . is a former city council member. He was also charged with embezzlement earlier this year. Daniel Trevino is another Lansing mayoral candidate with legal issues. The 20-year-old son of a medical marijuana shop owner5 candidates face off in the Lansing mayoral primary Tuesdayhttp://michiganradio.org/post/5-candidates-face-lansing-mayoral-primary-tuesday
32347 as http://michiganradio.orgSat, 05 Aug 2017 13:42:00 +00005 candidates face off in the Lansing mayoral primary TuesdaySteve CarmodyPlans for new tribal casino s in downtown Lansing and Romulus have hit a roadblock. The U.S. Department of the Interior has turned down a request from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to take land in Lansing and Romulus into trust. Federal officials denied the request because the application failed to show how acquiring this land would “consolidate or enhance” tribal lands. “We are deeply disappointed in the U.S. DOI’s decision to deny our mandatory trust land petitions for Lansing and Romulus,” says Aaron Payment, tribal president, “largely because it is based on a flawed legal analysis and because our Land Claims Settlement Act approved by the Congress of the United States in 1997 clearly requires that the applications be approved.” Payment says the tribe is not giving up. “The law is clear: The Secretary is required to accept these parcels in trust,” says Payment. The rejection is a blow to the tribe’s plans to build a $245 million casino next to Lansing’s downtownPlans for new tribal casinos in Lansing, Romulus hit roadblockhttp://michiganradio.org/post/plans-new-tribal-casinos-lansing-romulus-hit-roadblock
32234 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 27 Jul 2017 20:07:21 +0000Plans for new tribal casinos in Lansing, Romulus hit roadblockSteve CarmodyLansing’s outgoing mayor wants to sell city hall and find a new home for the city's offices. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero today formally asked for proposals from businesses interested in turning Lansing City Hall’s downtown location into a hotel, office space, residential units or retail space. He’s also asking for a plan to relocate city offices elsewhere.Lansing mayor asks developers to find other uses for city hall sitehttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-mayor-asks-developers-find-other-uses-city-hall-site
31652 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 13 Jun 2017 19:45:54 +0000Lansing mayor asks developers to find other uses for city hall siteSteve CarmodyThe city of Lansing is taking a stand against the Trump administration’s attack on “sanctuary cities.”Lansing declares itself a 'Sanctuary City' in defiance of the Trump administrationhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-declares-itself-sanctuary-city-defiance-trump-administration
30672 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 04 Apr 2017 02:07:13 +0000Lansing declares itself a 'Sanctuary City' in defiance of the Trump administrationSteve CarmodyAfter 12 years as Lansing’s mayor, Virg Bernero says he won’t seek re-election this fall. Bernero says he will step down as mayor when his term ends in 10 months, citing his family as his reason to not seek re-election. During his tenure, the Capitol city has weathered the Great Recession, which forced deep budget cuts due to lost tax revenue. Nevertheless, Bernero says Lansing received millions of dollars of economic development during that time as well. Bernero earned the title “America’s angriest mayor” during his spirited defense of Michigan’s and Lansing’s automakers. The mayor took on a national role defending efforts to protect the auto companies and auto workers as slumping sales threatened the industry. But his anger was not only targeted at those who opposed helping GM and Chrysler through bankruptcy. Bernero clashed often with members of the Lansing city council over city policy, budgets and economic development. He won sometimes, and lost others. Bernero’s departure opensLansing Mayor Virg Bernero won't seek re-electionhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-mayor-virg-bernero-wont-seek-re-election
30167 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 27 Feb 2017 21:00:03 +0000Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero won't seek re-electionSteve CarmodyMedical marijuana growers in Lansing may soon have to register with city, if they use an “excessive” amount of electricity. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is proposing an ordinance to require people who continuously use 5000 kilowatts of electricity to register with the city. “We have seen a number of cases where the growing equipment used to cultivate medical marijuana overloads the electrical circuits in the home,” says Bernero. “This, of course, creates a fire hazard.” Lansing officials say firefighters have responded to fires at grow operations caused by electrical issues, including one last week. The equipment needed to grow plants inside can draw a significant amount of electricity. The ordinance would likely not apply to most medical marijuana users, who only grow a few plants. It could affect ‘care givers’ who grow plants for several patients. The state allows ‘care givers’ to grow plants for up to five medical marijuana patients. Robin Schneider is the executive director of theLansing may require some marijuana growers to register with the cityhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-may-require-some-marijuana-growers-register-city
28775 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 10 Nov 2016 21:16:51 +0000Lansing may require some marijuana growers to register with the cityLindsey SmithA federal lawsuit alleges the chairman of Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees is running a “racketeering enterprise” in Lansing. The suit targets Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and MSU Board of Trustees Chairman Joel Ferguson, among others. “This is about an elaborate extortion scheme over a project that some say is worth as much at $380 million,” attorney Mike Cox said. Cox filed the suit on behalf of two businessmen who pitched the development project in 2012. But he says Ferguson used his political influence to win the project instead. “Joel Ferguson tried to shake them down for ownership of the project and then used, disturbingly, the Mayor of Lansing, Mayor Bernero, as his messenger boy,” Cox said. Cox alleges Bernero took gifts and bribes in exchange for influence over public projects. Requests for comment to both Bernero and Ferguson were not immediately returned.Lawsuit accuses two high-profile government officials of bribery, conspiracy and extortionhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lawsuit-accuses-two-high-profile-government-officials-bribery-conspiracy-and-extortion
27938 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 13 Sep 2016 21:11:08 +0000Lawsuit accuses two high-profile government officials of bribery, conspiracy and extortionSteve CarmodyAn Ingham County judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking a Lansing hotel from evicting nearly 100 homeless people. The owners of the Magnuson Hotel say they want to close for needed renovations. But the city of Lansing sought the injunction to delay the closing by up to 120 days, saying it needs that much time to relocate dozens of homeless men, women and children living there. This week, Mayor Virg Bernero declared a housing emergency to make displaced residents eligible for priority placement at federally funded public housing units in the Lansing area. Mayor Virg Bernero calls the hotel’s owners' plans to evict their homeless residents “heartless, reckless and reprehensible.” Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Jamo has set a hearing date of September 13 on the order.Judge issues temporary order blocking Lansing hotel from evicting homelesshttp://michiganradio.org/post/judge-issues-temporary-order-blocking-lansing-hotel-evicting-homeless
27785 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 02 Sep 2016 13:10:39 +0000Judge issues temporary order blocking Lansing hotel from evicting homelessSteve CarmodyLansing’s mayor has taken the unusual step of declaring a housing emergency in the Capitol city. Mayor Virg Bernero declared the emergency after a hotel on the city's south side informed dozens of residents they will be evicted in the next few weeks.Lansing mayor declares housing emergency after hotel moves to evict homelesshttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-mayor-declares-housing-emergency-after-hotel-moves-evict-homeless
27746 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 31 Aug 2016 01:52:06 +0000Lansing mayor declares housing emergency after hotel moves to evict homelessSteve CarmodyLansing residents will decide in November if they want to renew a public safety and road millage. The Lansing City Council approved putting the millage renewal on the ballot Monday. The millage raises nearly $8 million annually and costs the average Lansing homeowner about $200 a year. Back in 2011, Lansing voters narrowly approved a millage increase to pay for police and fire, as well as road improvements. Voters had rejected it six months before. The millage was intended to fill part of the financial shortfall the city was suffering following the Great Recession. Mayor Virg Bernero says the millage prevented dozens of police and fire layoffs. He says the stakes remain just as high if the millage is not renewed in November. “Even though our financial condition continues to improve, property tax revenues are still today below what they were prior to the millage,” Bernero told the Lansing City Council during a special council meeting, “So the millage is still necessary to fill that gap.Public safety and road millage renewal on Lansing's November ballothttp://michiganradio.org/post/public-safety-and-road-millage-renewal-lansings-november-ballot
27547 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 15 Aug 2016 23:34:12 +0000Public safety and road millage renewal on Lansing's November ballotSteve CarmodyThe city of Lansing has a new city attorney. The city council confirmed Jim Smiertka Monday night. He replaces interim city attorney Joseph Abood. Abood came on board after the sudden departure earlier this year of City Attorney Janene McIntyre. McIntyre’s unexplained departure and her $160,000 severance package raised questions about transparency at city hall. Smiertka says he will work to address those concerns. “I think it’s important to send a signal that going forward there won’t be these issues,” says Smiertka. Smiertka previously served as Lansing’s city attorney for a decade, from 1994 to 2004. He’s spent much of the past decade working with the group, Prima Civitas. Smiertka starts his new job at city hall on Friday.New Lansing City Attorney confirmed by city councilhttp://michiganradio.org/post/new-lansing-city-attorney-confirmed-city-council
26919 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 28 Jun 2016 01:35:16 +0000New Lansing City Attorney confirmed by city councilSteve CarmodyLansing's mayor has vetoed a city council decision on affordable housing, which may or may not be about affordable housing. The city council approved a moratorium on tax breaks for affordable housing on a five to three vote. Mayor Virg Bernero says the moratorium discriminates against low income residents, so he vetoed it Wednesday. It will take six votes to override his veto. The veto is the latest salvo in a conflict between the mayor and city council involving affordable housing. In March, a deadlocked city council failed to approve a tax break for a 23 unit affordable housing project in Lansing’s Old Town district. The mayor criticized the vote and a complaint against the city council has also been filed with the federal government. But Bernero's critics accuse the mayor of playing up the issue to distract from the mysterious departure of Lansing's former city attorney. In March, Janene McIntyre left her job at Lansing city attorney, after two years on the job. Her reasons forLansing mayor's veto is latest twist in his battle with city council http://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-mayors-veto-latest-twist-his-battle-city-council
26319 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 12 May 2016 15:16:17 +0000Lansing mayor's veto is latest twist in his battle with city council Stateside StaffThere are still unanswered questions and a growing pile of legal bills swirling around the sudden resignation of Lansing's former city attorney. Janene McIntyre resigned March 4, but was still paid $160,000 in salary and accrued benefits. N ow legal costs related to the separation are mounting. In the meantime, neither McIntyre nor Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero will say why she left and why she was given such a generous payout. Judi Brown Clarke , the president of the Lansing City Council , joined Stateside to talk about a recent city council meeting and what the latest is with the investigation into this controversy.Lansing City Council continues to press mayor for answers on costly attorney payouthttp://michiganradio.org/post/lansing-city-council-continues-press-mayor-answers-costly-attorney-payout
26285 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 10 May 2016 20:21:39 +0000Lansing City Council continues to press mayor for answers on costly attorney payout